The Last Hero: Fords of Nashville, Book 2 Read online

  The Last Hero

  Hildie McQueen

  Fords of Nashville Series

  The Last Hero

  Amazon Bestselling Author

  Hildie McQueen

  Pink Door Publishing

  Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig Design Inc.

  Editor: Tina Winograd

  Copyright Hildie McQueen 2014

  ISBN: 978-1-939356-22-2

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

  If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to your retailer and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author

  Other Works by Hildie McQueen

  (In reading order)

  Fords of Nashville

  Even Heroes Cry

  The Last Hero

  Her Hero*

  Nobody's Hero*

  Contemporary Romantic Comedy

  Taming Lisa

  Along Came You

  Only You

  Until You

  New Year with You

  Heading West Series, Western Historical

  Where the Four Winds Collide

  Westbound Awakening

  Where The River Flows

  Historical Western, Shades of Blue Series

  Big Sky Blue

  A Different Shade of Blue

  The Darkest Blue

  Every Blue Moon

  Blue Horizon

  Montana Blue

  Midnight Blue

  Moriag Series, Highland Historical Novellas

  Beauty and the Highlander

  The Lass and the Laird

  Lady and the Scot

  The Laird's Daughter

  * Not published as of this publication

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to the men and women who are not sure if they are truly loved for who they are and not for what they represent. May the truth of love shine through!

  Chapter One

  "Why are you naked!" Cassie Tucker held up the tray of cupcakes and turned away from a very nude Jensen Ford. He sunbathed on a lounger behind the house where he'd been staying for the last few weeks while shooting a movie.

  Cassie fought between taking a second look and keeping her eyes downcast. "Oh my God! I can't believe you're laying out here butt naked. Haven't you heard of a tanning bed?"

  "Hello Cupcake Cassie." The actor's lips curved when she took another peek at him. Jensen was an arrogant ass who'd hurt her feelings multiple times...and he was over the top, unbelievably, amazingly hot.

  Now she had a stunning vision burned into her brain, she'd never forget his well-toned tanned butt and long muscular legs. Admittedly, she didn't want to. "For goodness sakes, you know people come and go through here all the time." Cassie took a step forward, but feared tripping since she kept her face turned away to keep from gawking.

  "Everyone's on set. They're filming in town today. I've got the afternoon off." His smooth deep voice flowed over her and she glanced in his direction hoping he'd covered up.

  He hadn't.

  The egotistical jerk lifted up to his elbows and watched her with an amused grin.

  "Can you cover up please?" Cassie snapped and rolled her eyes. "You are well aware I bring dessert over here in the afternoons. You're doing this on purpose. Put on some shorts or something."

  "Can't."

  "Why?" She stomped her foot immediately regretting the childish reaction. Jensen loved getting reactions out of people. The pompous ass knew just the right buttons to push to make her angry.

  "Because I have a butt scene coming up and need an even tan." It sounded like he chuckled, but she couldn't be sure. "Just take those over to the hut and drop them off. You don't have to look at me."

  Right. As if any woman who walked the planet could keep from taking in the sight of the "sexiest man alive's" totally bare body. Even when dressed he was a feast for the eyes. Nude on display, he was like an overdose of chocolate, if that existed. She sneaked another peek and immediately looked away.

  Cassie kept her eyes on the door to the bistro-like hut that was built especially for the film crew in the back yard of the house treading carefully past where Jensen lay. "Where is Chef?"

  "Dunno."

  She looked to the back of the house. Maybe the chef had gone inside to work in the larger kitchen. Not that it mattered where she left dessert, but if she left them outside there was a possibility they'd melt before Chef found them. On the other hand, to go in search of the man meant she'd have to go around Jensen. The still very naked Jensen.

  The house was an old Victorian, which had been restored by Jensen's older brother Adam. The actor had sold the idea of his new movie location to the filming company. And now the movie "The Last Hero" was set to be the next summer's blockbuster.

  Although the movie actors and film crew were a big boost for the economy of her hometown, Lovely, Tennessee, it was also disruption to the otherwise quiet life the locals had grown used to.

  Cassie couldn't complain, business had more than doubled at her small cupcake shop, Sweet Indulgence. Her second job, serving breakfast and lunch to the crew had also upped her income as well. Money that would help with the purchase of a newer car. Her twelve-year-old Kia SUV was on the last leg of its last leg.

  The tray was getting heavy. In the end she decided it was best to leave the cupcakes at the hut. It was cool enough under the overhang and the cakes were well protected in the box.

  "Can I have one?" Jensen called out. He asked her the same thing every day. Each time it felt as if he did it to remind her of her place. That Cassie was much lower on the food chain that he was. As if she needed the reminder. Just looking at the expensive cars, exquisite clothes and even the fragrances worn by the wealthy people that accompanied him was a constant reminder of the difference in their social statuses.

  In all fairness, Jensen Ford did not put off the same vibe as the other actors and the director team. He wore black jeans and t-shirts most days, his motorcycle boots were scuffed up and he rode an old Harley more than he did the sleek Jaguar parked next door at her friend Tesha's house.

  "I won't bring you a cupcake if you don't cover up."

  There was some grumbling and shifting. "Okay, I'm decent." He stood right behind her and Cassie jumped at the sound of his deep voice so close behind her left ear.

  No way would she ever let him know how uncomfortable it made her. "Lemon or caramel?" She knew he'd pick the caramel. It was his favorite.

  "Caramel please." His breath tickled the back of her neck and she took a fortifying breath to keep from elbowing him and give the hint to move back. Thankfully her hands remained steady as she lifted an Ooey Gooey Caramel cupcake, and placed it on the dessert plate. She put a fork next to it, a cloth napkin under the plate and turned to face him.

  His hazel eyes met hers and she could see specks of gold and brown in them. His lashes were thick and long when he looked down to the dessert.

  When he didn't lift his hands to take it, Cassie shoved it into this chest. Unfortuna
tely that meant she had to notice how well formed and broad it was. Her gaze traveled down to his flat stomach and the edge of a towel he'd wrapped around his waist.

  "Why are you still mad at me?" Jensen asked, still not taking the cupcake. "I apologized." His lopsided grin made her stomach flip. Damn him for being so freakin' good-looking.

  Cassie snapped out of her ogling and pretended interest in the landscape behind him. "It wasn't much of an apology. And I accepted it. I am not mad at you, don't hold grudges."

  "Right."

  A couple weeks earlier, Jensen had apologized for making a comment about how he didn't think a cupcake business was to be taken seriously. Tesha, her friend and Jensen's soon to be sister in law made him apologize.

  In the middle of his apology, he'd insulted her again by stating, "I just don't think a smart person would open a specialty shop in such a small town and expect to earn a living."

  "But you continue to act angry." Why did he insist on this conversation? All she wanted was to drop off the cupcakes and leave. Had tried to ensure no interruptions, not running into him, by waiting until everyone left to shoot before coming over.

  She'd figured Jensen was out filming with the rest of the people. "I'm not mad at you. I just don't like you." Once again she pushed the plate toward him. "I don't have to like you, do I? It's allowed for someone to not like the great and wonderful Jensen Ford; after all, we live in America. Land of the free."

  "Nope." He took the cupcake and walked back to the lounger. "Everyone by law has to love me." In one hand he held the cupcake and with the other he loosened and dropped the towel.

  "Oh my God!" Cassie rushed out of the backyard toward the white house next door.

  Jensen's laughter followed her. "Have a nice day, Cupcake Cassie."

  "What an ass." Cassie grumbled and then couldn't help but chuckle at his antics. It wasn't that she was a prude, but after a long spell without sex, the last thing she needed was to see a hot and naked Jensen Ford. Not just any actor but the one voted "Sexiest Man Alive" twice by People magazine.

  Cassie climbed the two steps to the side doors and entered her friend Tesha's house, from where they catered.

  "Hey there," Tesha Washington, her best friend looked up from the table where she sat drinking tea. "What's the frown about?"

  "That damn Jensen Ford. He's so annoying." Cassie pulled back a chair and sat. "I think he enjoys tormenting me."

  Her friend was shorter than her by about three inches, and cute as a button. With a pixie hair cut, caramel skin and expressive brown eyes met hers at the moment with feigned concern. "Cassie, Jensen picks because you react. He's actually a nice guy if you give him a chance. But he loves to mess around."

  "He's laying over there, naked as a jay bird, caught me unprepared." She plopped down and placed her elbow on the table to rest her chin in her hand. "Besides, you're biased because you're engaged to his brother. Jensen has to be nice to you. And he's kind of scared of you."

  "He is, isn't he? He shouldn't be outside naked. We'll have a swarm of screaming fans attack." Tesha chuckled.

  "Uh huh. The man seemed unconcerned. He's sitting over there now eating a cupcakes getting crumbs in places I don't want to think about." Cassie shook her head when Tesha laughed. With a sigh, Cassie reluctantly shuffled to get her purse. "I better head to the shop."

  "I'll go with you to town." Tesha stood and went toward her bedroom. "Let me just grab my bag. I don't want to be home when the movie crew finishes up and decides to hang around. They expect the kitchen to be open twenty-four hours."

  Sweet Indulgence was nestled between a boutique and a gift shop. The store had a welcoming pink and brown awning to match the lettering on the cupcake shop's door, which was done in large curly letters.

  Cassie eyed the ingredient-laden shelves mentally assessing which ingredients she had on hand. Normally each day she sold six types of cupcakes, changing them daily. The only constant was her best-selling Ooey-Gooey Caramel.

  "Chocolate Dream, Warm Sugar Vanilla, Banana Crème Pie, Red Velvet and Strawberry Cream," she called over at Tesha, who sat at a table with markers and a white board.

  Tesha had the most beautiful handwriting, and whenever she came to the shop, Cassie would get her to write the flavors of the day on her dry erase sign.

  "Are you making all those today?" Tesha wide eyes met hers. "It's almost noon."

  Cassie sighed. "I suppose you're right, I didn't realize most of the morning was gone. I'm usually done at your house by ten and here no later than ten thirty." She eyed the case. "Looks like Carol made three flavors," she said referring to one of the town's widows who helped her part-time when she wasn't cooking at Tesha's. "The banana, chocolate and vanilla are done. I suppose I'll just make two others. It will be a five-flavor day. Scratch the Red Velvet."

  Once she began mixing ingredients, she became lost in the process. Tesha found a top forty station on her old radio and began to pull canisters and measuring tools to cook right beside her. Cassie could not have asked for a better friend. When she'd moved to Lovely, Tennessee, it was to nurse not just her ailing grandmother, but her broken heart as well. Never expected to meet someone like Tesha, who quickly became her confidant and best friend.

  It was a shame that so soon after meeting, Tesha became engaged to Adam Ford, and now planned to move to Nashville once they got married. Although it was not so far, they would not have these times anymore. Days that revolved around catering for the movie crew in the mornings and making cupcakes at Sweet Indulgence through the afternoons.

  "How is Adam?" Cassie placed her bowl under the mixer and turned the knob. "When will he be in town?"

  Tesha's face brightened. "He's been here twice already this week. Drove up after work. But I told him to stay in town until the weekend. I don't like him driving back and forth so much. He has to get up at five to get to work on time."

  "I'm sure he doesn't consider it too much of a sacrifice to spend time with you. I think it's romantic that he has a hard time staying away." Cassie looked up when the bell over the door jingled and two teenage girls walked in.

  The girls both ordered a banana cupcake and coffee and sat down, immediately engrossed with their cell phones.

  Several cars passed the shop. Soon downtown Lovely would be bustling with shoppers either heading to Miller's Hardware across the way, the boutique next door, or her shop. A teenage boy looked through the window at the girls and they began to whisper in rushed tones, their eyes darting toward the door.

  Kyland, her brother was about their age. Cassie hadn't seen him in months, but talked to him regularly on the phone. He remained in Nashville, living with their mother and her latest husband. As soon as he graduated, Cassie made him promise to enroll in a community college not too far from Lovely.

  Once her mother stopped getting child support for him, Cassie had no doubt, she'd not fight her on it. Not that her mother was necessarily a bad one, just spent more time trying to keep a man than parenting.

  Two hours later, with the display case filled, Cassie and Tesha drank a cup of tea, relaxing in the lull of the late afternoon.

  "My car is dying. I'm so grateful for the movie. The extra money from catering will help me buy another car. I think the Kia is beyond repair. It barely cranks anymore."

  Tesha shook her head. "It's hard to keep cars for long, they don't last more than six or seven years, it seems." She took another sip and studied the Kia through the window. "You're welcome to use my truck whenever you have deliveries that are out of town. It's not much newer than yours, but it runs great. Plus, it will give me an excuse to drive Jensen's Jag."

  "Or maybe I can borrow the Jaguar." Cassie laughed. "I can see his expression if I slap a magnetic ‘Sweet Indulgence’ sign on his classic super-expensive baby and pack it full of cupcakes."

  Her friend let out a loud peal of laughter. "Can you imagine if I transport market produce in it?"

  "He would die."

  Chapter Two


  "This is a comfortable bed, don't you think?" Vanessa Morgan spoke matter-of-factly. Her hands splayed on his hips, the actress held him in place atop her. Her eyes flickered past Jensen to the camera crew. "I will have to ask what type of linens they are." She shifted and reached under the pillow for her cell phone. "Damn it, I'm missing a great party. While we shoot here in Hicksville, my friends are having a marvelous time back in LA."

  "You'll live." Jensen yawned, ready to get the scene over with. He studied the dark red silky sheets. "Maybe they'll give them to you." Unable to help it, Jensen pulled a corner up and covered his bare butt.

  "Don't cover us up. It's too damn hot, I don't want to sweat and have to get my makeup redone," Vanessa whined.

  Jensen looked over his shoulder to gauge where the cameras were. It never stopped being awkward. Naked as the day he was born in front of twenty people while they adjusted camera angles and lighting to best show off all the skin. Not that he was shy by any stretch, but under the lights, every pimple, hair, and defect was on display.

  He gritted his teeth. "Would you mind not moving so much?"

  Her eyes snapped to his face. "Oooh…why, Jensen Ford, are you getting a bit excited?" Vanessa's lips curved into a feline-like smile. "It would prove interesting. Make the scene more realistic if we get into it."

  "No, it would not." Jensen closed his eyes and thought of puke, then followed it by visualizing a toilet full of poop. That Vanessa's breasts were pressed against him or that she only wore a tiny thong did not help. Neither did the attractiveness of the actress who lay beneath him. She was beautiful, with waist-length silky sable brown hair and a perfect body from hours of exercise and very little eating.

  "Maybe we should redo this scene again. Alone." She slid her hand down his back and cupped his ass. "I'm game if you are."